How JuJu Watkins' injury scare and rare in-game rest can help USC in March Madness

LOS ANGELES – No one bothered to bring out a hammock or Barcalounger courtside at the Galen Center.

But JuJu Watkins, Southern California’s All-American guard, got some rest as the Trojans beat No. 16 seed UNC Greensboro 71-25 Saturday in the first round of the women’s NCAA tournament.

She played 28 minutes. That’s seven minutes fewer than her team-high average of 35 minutes per game.

It still was enough time for her to score a game-high 22 points, along with eight rebounds and commendable defense. And the rest could prove helpful with the Trojans (31-1) set to play Monday against the winner of the California-Mississippi State game in the second round.

With Southern California burying UNC Greensboro, Watkins and the rest of the Trojans’ starters came out with 6:18 left to play.

"We're fortunate that we were able to sit everybody, all the starters down with about 6:30 to go," Southern California coach Lindsay Gottlieb said. “JuJu probably hasn't played under 30 minutes in about a month and a half, or whatever, because the Big Ten season is hard.

"So I think we earned the right to be in a game where we can rest some people somewhat."

Trust in JuJu after injury scare

How Watkins ended up on the bench was not always optimal. In the third quarter, Watkins rolled her left ankle on a drive to the basket and came out for the final 3:39 of the quarter.

She started the fourth quarter and stayed on the floor until Gottlieb pulled all of the starters.

“I listen to her," Gottlieb said. “I trust our trainers and I say, You good?' When she says she's good, I'm probably not going to shut her down when she says she's good before it's time to shut her down."

She also banged up her left hand on a fall in the second quarter but massaged it while staying in the game.

But Watkins arrived at the postgame interview room without a limp and without any noticeable concern.

"I’m all right," she said. "Don’t worry.”

Assessing JuJu Watkins' impact on USC

Southern California leaned on its defense and held UNC Greensboro to 13% shooting (7-for-54 ) from the floor. Watkins had three of Southern California’s 17 steals.

Gottlieb said her star guard is "game changing" on both ends of the court.

"She's always just had qualities that you can't teach, instincts, timing, her ability to block shots without fouling, her ability to keep someone in front and make it tough on them, Gottlieb said of Watkins. ”But what you add over the course of your career…you take those gifts, and then you add knowledge.

“I feel like that's what our job is, to try to give them the answers before they take the exam. The greatest players use their instincts, but then they also take whatever the scouting report is and they add that."

Watkins had plenty of help on defense, which rescued the Trojans from a ragged start that led them leading 12-8 after the first quarter.

Rayah Marshall, Southern California’s senior post player, had seven blocks. The Trojans had 10 as a team and altered countless other shots.

But the Trojans’ high-powered offense sputtered at times.

Southern California shot an underwhelming 37.5 % from the floor. But Watkins, who was 8-for-17 from the floor, said the Trojans had to get the rust off after a two-week layoff.

“Hopefully that's all done with, and we can really head into this next matchup with our best versions of ourselves and play," Watkins said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: JuJu Watkins' rest on USC bench could be good for March Madness run

Topics

What time does JuJu Watkins play? Time, TV and channel for USC vs. UNC Greensboro

2025 March Madness Round of 64 includes No. 1 seed Southern California vs. No. 16 seed UNC Greensboro. Here are is how to watch.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Women's March Madness: USC's JuJu Watkins says she's 'all good' after injury scares in first-round win

Watkins suffered minor hand and ankle injuries in USC's victory over UNC Greensboro
CBS Sports - 1d
Women's NCAA tournament: How to watch JuJu Watkins and USC vs. UNC Greensboro

March Madness 2025: Here's how to watch the NCAA women's basketball tournament first-round game between USC and UNC Greensboro on Saturday.
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Coming off a loss, JuJu Watkins and USC eager to resume winning ways in March Madness

JuJu Watkins and her Southern California teammates have had plenty of time to stew and then get over their loss to rival UCLA in the Big Ten Tournament title game. Nearly two weeks later, the ...
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Commanders QB Jayden Daniels and college basketball star JuJu Watkins watch March Madness

Commanders QB Jayden Daniels watched NCAA Women's Tournament game with USC superstar JuJu Watkins.
Yahoo Sports - 21h
JuJu Watkins discusses USC women's basketball's No. 1 seed in March Madness, more

Here's everything JuJu Watkins said on Sunday after USC women's basketball received a No. 1 seed in the 2025 women's NCAA Tournament:
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 17
JuJu Watkins, Hannah Hidalgo headline women's AP All-America team; Bueckers, Betts, Booker join them

JuJu Watkins of Southern California and Hannah Hidalgo of Notre Dame have joined an elite group, making The Associated Press All-America team in their first two seasons playing college basketball. ...
Yahoo Sports - 4d
NCAA tournament: JuJu Watkins plays through pain as USC cruises past UNCG

Watkins remained in a blowout game late despite appearing to tweak her hand and her ankle.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Watkins scores 31 to lead No. 2 USC past Indiana 84-79 and into the Big Ten Tournament semifinals

JuJu Watkins scored 31 points, Kiki Iriafen added 21 and each grabbed 10 rebounds in their first Big Ten Tournament games, leading No. 2 Southern California to an 84-79 victory over Indiana
ABC News - Mar. 7

More from Yahoo Sports

Lauren Betts on list with UCLA greats Abdul-Jabbar, Walton after Bruins' latest victory

Mychal Thompson, who won two NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers, was inspired by Lauren Betts' performance in UCLA's win over Richmond.
Yahoo Sports - 13m
Kings' Kuemper, Bruins' Swayman were ready go in goalie fight before officials stepped in

When Los Angeles goalie Darcy Kuemper came out to center ice ready to fight his Boston Bruins counterpart Jeremy Swayman on Sunday night, Kings coach Jim Hiller was only thinking about all the bad ...
Yahoo Sports - 20m
Report: Steph Curry (pelvic contusion) joining Warriors on road trip

The All-Star point guard missed the opening game of the Warriors' six-game road swing on Saturday due to a pelvic contusion.
Yahoo Sports - 34m
Photos: Best images from Thunder's 103-101 win over Clippers

The best photos from the Oklahoma City Thunder's 103-101 win over the LA Clippers.
Yahoo Sports - 39m
Player grades: Short-handed Thunder shut down Clippers in 103-101 win

Player grades for the Oklahoma City Thunder's 103-101 win over the LA Clippers.
Yahoo Sports - 50m

More in Sports

Lauren Betts on list with UCLA greats Abdul-Jabbar, Walton after Bruins' latest victory

Mychal Thompson, who won two NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers, was inspired by Lauren Betts' performance in UCLA's win over Richmond.
Yahoo Sports - 13m
Kings' Kuemper, Bruins' Swayman were ready go in goalie fight before officials stepped in

When Los Angeles goalie Darcy Kuemper came out to center ice ready to fight his Boston Bruins counterpart Jeremy Swayman on Sunday night, Kings coach Jim Hiller was only thinking about all the bad ...
Yahoo Sports - 20m
2025 Women's March Madness schedule, scores: Games, dates, locations, tip times, TV channels, bracket

South Carolina and UCLA fights off upset-minded opponents as Notre Dame wins big
CBS Sports - 22m
Report: Steph Curry (pelvic contusion) joining Warriors on road trip

The All-Star point guard missed the opening game of the Warriors' six-game road swing on Saturday due to a pelvic contusion.
Yahoo Sports - 34m
Women's March Madness 2025: Printable NCAA Tournament bracket as half of Sweet 16 field is set

The second round has offered plenty of intrigue and huge moments thus far
CBS Sports - 34m